Canadians Are Worried About Teens Using E-Cigarettes, Backing A Ban On Flavored Vaping Products

A new survey conducted by Angus Reid Institute reveals that about 90% of the Canadians are worried about teens using e-cigarettes and they back up a ban against selling vaping products to teens below the age of 18. Interestingly, non-smokers and smokers seem to get along in this initiative for fighting against e-cigs use in those under 18.

“The one big takeaway is that concern about vaping really does focus and center on the impact on children,” stated Shachi Kurl, Angus Reid Institute CEO.

The survey was conducted online and enjoyed the participation of 1,500 adults aged 18 and older, out of whom about 75% think it would be a good idea if the government will adopt rules for packaging and labeling of vaping products as it had already done it with tobacco products. Also, 69% agreed that all those flavored e-liquids, deemed as the most harmful to human health, should be banned.

Canadians are backing a ban on e-cigarettes and flavored vaping products

Regarding the flavored vaping products ban, Millennials are less interested in such a prohibition, while 58% of the respondents over 55 years old agreed with the possible interdiction.

“Certainly when we see millennial or younger Canadian respondents saying that they are less inclined to support the ban of fruit and bubblegum and other nice flavors of vaping products, we see that that is something that potentially holds some interest or appeal to them,” added Shachi Kurl.

The biggest concern among both regular Canadians and specialists is that using e-cigarettes is only the first step to smoking tobacco for teens who vape. And, while many studies revealed the harmful effects of regular smoking, there are not many to assess how good or bad are e-cigs for human health.

“Vaping may make some youth more likely to start smoking. There’s a strong association, but most of that is probably the type of kids that do risky behaviors. If you’re going to try one, you’re going to try the other,” explained David Hammond from the University of Waterloo.